How to Select the Right Window Style for Your Greensboro, North Carolina Area Home

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How to Select the Right Window Style for Your Greensboro, North Carolina Area Home

November 10, 2014

It’s time to replace the windows of your Greensboro home, but you want your windows to enhance its beauty and provide the functionality you’ve been missing for years. Learning the unique features and competitive differences they offer is a crucial next step in your window purchase process. Selecting the ideal style of window really depends on your home’s architecture, the purpose or use of the window, and of course, how much you can afford.

WINDOW STYLES TO CONSIDER:

Awning Windows — Hinged from the top and opening outward from the bottom, awning window's construction pushes water away from the window opening. Awning windows are typically
installed over fixed windows or in garages above eye level to supply ventilation and privacy at the same time. Awning windows are commonly assigned to southern home designs.

Bay and Bow Windows — Bay windows commonly involve a large window in the middle bordered left and right by casement or double-hung windows set at 30- or 45-degree angles. Each window can be fixed, venting, or a combination of both. The bow window consists of four or more equal-size windows, likely casements that create a gradual arching projection. Bay and bow windows offer gorgeous sweeping views, in addition to giving a room the illusion of being larger than it is. Many of our Greensboro area clients add a middle window sitting area to their bay or bow windows to provide additional seating for guests or everyday use.

Casement Windows — Often referred to as “crank out windows”, casement windows are quite possibly the most popular style of windows in the Greensboro area. Included within numerous home designs, casement windows feature a single sash that’s attached on either side and opens by turning a crank shaft in a clockwise motion. Because of its design, casement windows provide excellent ventilation (particularly if your window opening faces the direction of the wind). In terms of appearance, we encourage you to consider casement windows for taller windows, over wider ones. Finally, casement windows open up to 90 degrees, so we do not recommend using them inhigh traffic area, such as porches, decks or similar areas.

Double-Hung Windows — Most commonly used in traditional, Colonial or Victorian home designs, double-hung windows feature two sashes within a single frame. The top and bottom sash bypass each other vertically
when opening from the bottom up or the top down. Double-hung windows look best when they are about twice as tall as they are wide and each sash is an equal-sized square.

Fixed Windows — Fixed windows are typically used to add some decoration to your window pattern. Often shaped in a circle, square, or hexagon, fixed windows never open, as they are intended to add an architectural enhancement to your Greensboro house.

Single-Hung Windows — Single-hung windows are almost the same as double hung windows, with one exception: only the bottom sash opens by pushing upward; the top sash does not open at all.

Sliding Windows — Referred to as sliders or gliders, sliding windows open precisely as their name suggests; they slide side-to-side horizontally. Sliders are great for those challenging-to-reach areas in your Greensboro home, such as over the kitchen sink. They are commonly used in multi-family buildings and apartment complexes.

Skylights — Those Greensboro homeowners that would like the additional natural light that windows bring, yet they do not have the room to allow traditional wall-installed windows, may want to ponder a skylight. Skylights can be opened manually or by remote control (if such functionality is offered), which often brings in more light and heat than windows due to their rooftop positioning.

Transom — Similar to fixed windows, transoms are typically included with other window styles, and can be either fixed or vented units. They’re usually located atop or below the main window or door. Transoms give the illusion of bigger windows by allowing more sunlight in and more airflow if the windows vent. Transom windows are available in a variety of shapes, including square, rectangular, half-circle, elliptical and more.

Window Wall — As you might assume, a window wall is literally a wall of windows that don’t open and stretch from floor to ceiling. The windows that make up the wall can be of similar or different sizes/shapes and be used for exterior or interior walls.